Wednesday-Friday

Each morning I spoke to the pastors for two 90 minute sessions, spending about 60% of the time traveling through the very short letter of Paul (Pavel) to Philemon (Filimon). In addition to being a masterful argument for forgiveness, it provides a bedrock for the argument against slavery which has plagued mankind for centuries.

Talk the Word

I was also able to introduce them to a publication called Talk the Word, only published in the UK a couple of months ago. A combined project of Walk Through the Bible, Scripture Union Scotland, The Scottish Bible Society, and Counties, I had been able to get it translated into Romanian, had 25 copies printed in Chichester just before I flew out here. Each of the pastors took two copies, with a commitment to train one of their congregation to use it.

British Graphics
Romanian Text

Finally, a lot of conversation revolved around ideas and change. Like people the world over, on day two most of the men sat in the same place as on the first day. I asked them all to move to another seat, just to get them used to the idea that change isn't always bad. This was accomplished with a mixture of surprise and amusement, and I think that they got the point!

In the evenings I spoke to the church in Simpetru once (for the last time on this visit, where again there were 13 visitors), and then for two nights to the Baptist church in Zalau, where there was a very warm response to a difficult subject I had been asked to address.

Juxtaposition

I mentioned in an earlier blog the differences between the communist and post-communist Romanians.  One of the other noticeable features (especially in the countryside) is the juxtaposition of technologies.  Everywhere there are horses pulling carts, while modern cars, including BMWs and Audis - can also be seen.  In locations where many of the houses are small and plumbing is primitive, the wireless modem and mobile phone still have a place.  In churches with wood burners there are often quite small but adequate sound systems.

A classic example of this I spotted today as a speaker and mixer desk were borrowed from the church.  Look for the washing machine in the video.  The horse is in housed in the small stable to the left.

Generosity

The generosity of my hosts has extended to sharing their Romanian cold with me. It came on on Thursday, so I've been dosing myself with Theraflu (a bit like lemsip). but by last night I was really tired, after 10 days here and 12 in all without a break.

Today (Saturday) is a rest day, but also Mothers' Day in Romania. in addition, Tuesday is D's birthday, so Mirchir, Maria & family and I have travelled down to Simpetru for a double celebration. Perhaps indicative of my tiredness, I managed to set my phone alarm last night for 08:15 - on Tuesday! So I overslept (the family kindly letting me do so) and got up shortly after 10:00. As we were bringing the meat for the BBQ, lunch is a couple of hours later than first planned.

The meal itself consisted of four different meats (chicken, pork, a minced meat and smokey sausages), all cooked on the BBQ, a potato dish a bit like Potato au gratin, with a garlic sauce quite strong. Strong enough that I learned my lesson last Saturday, and took less of it. I've been told that the only remedy for removing the garlic flavour is to eat an onion! And vice versa...

After the meal D was absolutely surprised by the birthday cake which arrived to the accompaniment of 'many years', the Romanian equivalent of Happy Birthday to You.

The Conference

One of the main reasons for me traveling out to Transilvania was to speak at a conference of a number of the rural pastors. These men have real hearts of compassion for the people in the villages, and for the congregations of the small churches which they have been instrumental in planting and growing over the years. Most of them hold down other jobs as well, because the churches can't afford to pay them, and they have had limited opportunity for training in their roles.

On this occasion Dan, Mircea and I had discussed what we would try to accomplish. First of all, I needed to get to know the men and the work that they do among the churches. Thus an additional benefit of visiting and speaking in a number of the churches over the previous week was to appreciate the circumstances in which they serve. Second, as it was the first time for us to meet, I needed them to gain confidence in me, and that I could, in my teaching, provide training in biblical studies, in practical pastoral advice, and provoke some thinking among them regarding the often fairly traditional way that their churches function.

There is an apparent gap in Romanian culture. It is, of course, only 24 years since the fall of communism, and of the dictator Ceausescu. So many of the older generation have grown up accustomed to following instructions and doing things in a set way. The churches that did exist in that time had to be very careful as the secret police sat in on every service, and pastors were regularly imprisoned. many of the Christians, including people like Mircea, were part of an underground church movement that risked imprisonment for some of their activities. (Not unlike countries such as Iran and North Korea today.)

The younger generation know little of this past, and exposed as they are to the internet, with both it's distractions and global culture, are restless for something different. Helping the church to bridge this gap, without rocking the boat sufficiently violently to throw out the older generation for whom the older ways provide security, is a great challenge.

An oversight on my part - I forgot to take any photos.

A change of pace (for me)

Monday and Tuesday saw several team members head out to take meetings. Denise, Peter & Jess led some kindergarden classes, while Joan spoke to and met with a number of the ladies in distant churches.

I was conscious that my notes for a conference I was due to address Wednesday and Friday needed to be re-arranged before they could be translated into Romanian and prepared for printing. I made considerable progress during the day on Monday and Tuesday, and was supported in a supreme effort by Dina, Mircea & Maria's daughter, who worked quite late doing the translation work for me.

Monday evening we returned to Simpetru for another teaching opportunity that was arranged with the congregation at short notice on Sunday evening. About 25 people came, and I continued my series teaching through the early part of the Pentateuch. 

On Tuesday evening it was down to Tomasu, another village south of Zalau, where we kicked off a special week of mission, and I had the main speaking slot.

Normally after each evening meeting we are then invited to the home of one of the church members for dinner (our third cooked meal of the day) and enjoy warm hospitality. there is always an abundance of meat, usually pork, occasionally chicken.

After the service at Tomasu we went to the house of Olympis, whose wife provided some delicious pork chops. They have five sons and one daughter and he proudly showed us his barn where he keeps his 16 milking cows, some lambs and pigs, which together form the bulk of his income.  Definitely a need for caution walking across the muddy farmyard in the dark!

After a blogging gap of 6 days, there is a lot to review.

I mentioned Sunday afternoon plans changed. it was originally intended that the whole team would travel to a couple of churches west of here in the mountains, but Mircea felt that my teaching had been well received by the congregation at Simpetru (which continued to have about 40% of the congregation made up of new visitors) that he asked me to remain in Simpetru after lunch to be the speaker for his own evening congregation.

The Church building in Simpetru
- a converted house (forgive the pun)

In this little church there are three families whose serving is contributing to the teamwork and growth. One of these families is D & M, who together with their teenage son, recently started traveling 90 minutes each way to the church in order to provide and lead the music. What a difference the three of them make in the quality of the services!

D's work involves traveling to inspect mobile phone masts, so where they live is of little importance to his job. So they are looking to move into the village of Simpetru, if possible. They think that they can sell their small ground floor apartment for £3,000, but a small house that they have found for sale in the village would cost £6,000. It is symptomatic of the rural Romanian economy that these amounts, which combined are what we paid in stamp duty on our UK house purchase six years ago, are enormous sums and the gap between the sale and purchase price very difficult for them to cross.

The Team

I’ve mentioned ‘The Team' in my earlier blogs, so now a bit more about them.

Back in 1999, Ron Hellyer, from the Bognor Regis area of West Sussex started visiting this part of Transilvania and along the way met Mircea Pestean.  At that time there was great need in the very poor rural villages, but little in the way of help.  Along with another visitor from the USA, Ron encouraged Mircea to start Maranatha Missions using the town of Zalau as a base to reach out.  Ron himself, who Mircea describes to me as a gifted evangelist, was involved in the establishment of a couple of churches in the villages.  Ron would bring other friends with his to help in the work.

L to R: Gilbert, Peter,
Denise, Jess, Joan, me

Joan, Ron’s wife, joined Ron in visiting Romania a few years later.  After Ron’s death a few years ago, Joan and other team members continued visiting the churches of Maranatha Mission, and a couple of years ago, at the prompting of some of the long standing team members, The Ron Hellyer Foundation was established and registered as a UK Charity to enable gifts to support the work of the Mission to be channelled through the trust, to provide opportunities for folk form the UK to experience short term mission opportunities, and to provide funds for the relief of financial needs among some of the villages that the churches serve in this part of Romania.

The team (members vary from visit to visit) generally visit Romania twice a year, in the Autumn & Spring, timing arranged to avoid the busier summer season when many people in the villages are farming their small plots of land.

According to Schedule

Yesterday the flexibility kicked in as plans changed mid-afternoon.  But the morning went according to the schedule.

Our whole team paid a visit to a small village called Stupini.  About a kilometre past Simpetru, the road becomes a gravel road for about 3 km before running out.  2km up this gravel road is the little chapel in Stupini where a visiting pastor and Florin, (see his photo with the heater at Simpetru in an earlier blog) helps provide leadership and encouragement to the small, elderly congregation.

Jess (L) and Dina (R)

Each of our team spoke for a few minutes using Emil & Dina, son & daughter of Mircea & Maria as interpreters.  It's no small thing to provide almost simultaneous translation, and most of us can come up with english words or expressions that they are not yet familiar with, which results in a short intermission and a little mirth while the combined English-Romanian language skills of those present establish a route forward and an explanation of the meaning.

Joan asked me to take the last slot (which was expected to be longer) in the service, which like most Romanian services lasts longer than those in the UK.  I needed to finish my noon, but didn't know what time I would be starting.  I think that I got up to speak at about 11:15, and Joan as requested, gave me a nod at 11:58 which gave me a couple of minutes to wrap up.

It's quite interesting attending a service with little idea of what one is going to speak about.  Because each community is so different, and this is my first time visiting, there is a need to look, listen, and pray for guidance!  As the service proceeded, prompted by something said earlier in the service, my thoughts focussed on Psalm 105.  I borrowed a Romanian Bible, scribbled some notes using the key verbs (imperatives) from the Romanian translation alongside my English notes.

Romanian is a latin language (similarities to French, Spanish, etc) with bits of slavic influence.  (Romania is described as an island of Latin in a sea of Slavs.)  With the notes in front of me, and Dina translating, I attempted some Romanian pronunciation, which drew a combination of sympathy, amusement, correction and (I like to think) appreciation for the effort, from the congregation, while Dina, interpreting, corrected me and made what I said in English make sense for the listeners.

Speaking at Stupini
while Dina interpreted

I remember an experienced pastor comment to me (years ago) that most people know about their problems and difficulties.  They don't need to be reminded of them, but need encouragement to work through them.  Yesterday I tried to apply his advice.

Another small village

After lunch we split into three teams, two going visiting needy families, and three of us (Jess, Peter & I heading to Another small village, about 20 minutes away, to a small church where we were to conduct children's & youth meetings.

This church building is more purpose built that the one at Simpetru, and large enough to warrant two wood burning stoves.

The invitation that had been issued was different from our expectations, as they had invited 'youth' from 11-15 years.  So after a rapid team conference, we agreed that Jess & Peter would run some activities (see video) and I would teach something of the storyline from the gospels.

In the end we had about 26 'youth' from about 8 to 15, a great number from a small village. In 2010 there were no children at this church, so there has been some great work by the local leaders who were thoroughly supportive in our session today.  This group - typical of the village itself, had a mixture of Romanian, Hungarian and Gypsy children in place.

I had a great time delivering the teaching and controlling – at least some of the time – the children while speaking through Mircea's interpretation.  Not sure that it is my primary calling though!  But it took me back to the early days of BX when we called it 'Junior Walk'

Birthday BBQ

BBQ & Washing Machine both at work

Today's timetable eased a little as our hosts took time to plan a (surprise) lunchtime birthday BBQ for Gilbert, who celebrated a post retirement birthday a couple of days ago without telling any of us.  The weather - sunny, mid-teens temperature – was ideal, so half of us set out early for Simpetru, via the supermarket to pick up the supplies, while the others went shopping for some small gifts for Gilbert.

Used for ploughing & pulling cart

It was great to enjoy the home/smallholding and company of one of the church families as about a dozen of us joined together.

Many of the families keep a few animals, and here Florin, Rodi and their family keep 3 pigs, several rabbits, numerous chickens, bees, two dogs, and a horse.  As you can imagine, some are for eating, others valued for their productivity, and the dogs advise of any visitors.

 While the food was being prepared, Florin took me over to the village school to look at a board I may borrow when I'm teaching pastors next week.  In his schooldays there were 300 students; now only 16, with two teachers.  Most younger families have migrated to the cities or overseas in search of work.

Gilbert (& Jess)

Nelu, Rodi, Maria & Joan

 Gilbert was suitably surprised when he we sat down to eat and was informed that the occasion was in honour of him.

Simpetru

During much of the 1990s we led a small church with a  congregation of between 20 and 50.  One of my abiding memories are the two occasions when churches from some distance away sent teams to visit and work with us, each for a week.  The energy and enthusiasm they brought with them lifted us,  brought new opportunities for contact with other local people, and gave us a sense of shared load.

Simpetru village

As followers of Jesus Christ, much is made of the Greek word 'koinonia' found in the New Testament, and carrying the ideas of 'partnership, fellowship, belonging'.  I'm not sure that many of us (certainly not me) bring with  the energy levels of the teams that visited us 20 years ago, but it is a privilege to be able to partner with and serve these small churches and bring some experience and teaching, working alongside the pastors.

Simpetru, looking west

Our host, Mircea, started working with the people of Simpetru a number of years ago.  Yesterday Joan (our team leader) and Denise visited here and met some of the ladies to encourage, teach, and pray with them, and to work with some of the children.  (Sweets and snacks are well appreciated as there isn't a lot of money here).

Today Denise returned with Gilbert & I, Denise to take another children's meeting, Gilbert and I to speak to the adult congregation in the evening.

The building that now houses the Church

Mircea asked me to lead some teaching, so starting with the first 3 named individuals in the NT, I focused on lessons from the life of Abraham, particularly the message that getting right with God is unearned, but a credit from God for those who confidently trust him.

Last Sunday this room held over 100!

Because on Wednesday I'd mentioned the three kings of Israel, I then taught the 3 Chairs Principle.  There have been a number of 'explorers' visiting over the past few days – 9 tonight – so given the interest, Mircea is considering increasing the number of meetings we have here over the next couple of weeks.  As we were advised before we arrived, everything, especially the schedule, is flexible.  Watch this space.

Serious space management

Would you replumb your entire church heating system just to create more space for a special event? And then return it to the original a few days later?

Like many churches, the Baptist Church at Sinpatru Simpetru is heated by a single wood burning stove in the main auditorium, which comfortably will hold 35.  Last Sunday they had there first baptism service in a very long time, and invited many of the village.  Expecting a larger than usual number, the space occupied by the heater was precious, so they moved it by hand to the room next door (the warmth permeated the wall), re-routing the flue.  So I discovered that the space in which I sat on Wednesday afternoon was today re-occupied by the stove, the temporary hole created for the flue on the other side of the wall had been filled in, and the heater was back to its rightful place.

Here's a picture of Florin, who did the work, with his close friend, back in its place of honour.  Tonight, the door had to be opened at regular intervals as the dangers of hyperthermia reducing the size of the congregation became all too real.

Last Sunday over 100 people crowded into this small church to witness the baptism.

Third culture

Yesterday four of our team accompanied Mircea about an hour west to support the local pastor at a small church in a gypsy community.  Peter & Jess (the younger members of our team) led a children’s activity session.  While this was happening, it was noticeable that a number of teenage girls were hovering on the edge but not joining in.  So Mircea (our host & mission organiser) asked me if I could speak to them.  It’s been a long while since I’ve spoken to a group of 12 teenage girls through an interpreter in a culture neither of us share…  Some of the time I spent asking them to teach me Romanian pronunciation.  It confirmed in my own mind that not a lot has changed in my linguistic ability since I dropped French a the age of 15.

After this a number of adult members of the congregation arrived and two of us were invited to speak to them.  In this part of the world it's quite normal for there to be two or three speakers in a church service so they do last longer than back home.  I spoke from Paul's letter to Philemon on a culture of forgiveness in an unforgiving world.

By the time we arrived back in Zalau (about 19:30) the lack of sleep at the beginning of the week, plus the multicultural shift – UK-Romania-Gypsy (they refer to themselves as Gypsy rather than Roma) plus adapting to speaking through an interpreter left me feeling a bit flat.  But I understand that that is normal for the first day or two, and I'm anticipating that it will become easier.

A little knowledge...

A good part of these two weeks in Romania is learning time for me.  Seeing what is going on, getting used to speaking through an interpreter, learning some of the culture.  The locals will proudly tell you that Transilvania, here in the north, is different from Bucharest, in the south.  (Is there any country without a north-south difference?)  Mind you, at the beginning of the week even one of my friends in Bucharest emailed me to say "Transilvania is one of the most beautiful areas in Romania with kind people and great food :) even better than Bucharest.  People are very welcoming and really enjoy having guests."

So in an effort to accelerate the learning, I picked up a guide book last weekend.  A little history, a little culture, a little language.  Who was it that said "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing?"  Here's hoping that I'm equipping myself to become too dangerous.

We stopped in Simpetru on our way to Zalau.  Pausing in the home of one of the church members, I became increasingly aware that initial success from my weight gain programme was to be observed in my eyelids.  The cool weather outside is more than compensated for in rural homes and churches by the presence of wood burning stove which generate a lot of warmth (most churches have the large stove in the main meeting room).  A cup of tea was quite reviving.

We then all spoke briefly at a meeting of the church congregation and about eleven other members of the community.  Those who know me best know that I don't do 'briefly', but Mircea, our organiser and the pastor of the church in Simpetru, had asked if I would speak for longer.  So I took a lesson from the teaching and life of King Solomon, about the need to deal with the weeds that crop up in our own lives and spoil our relationship with God. Solomon as King progressively didn't follow the rules for Kings of Israel (see Deuteronomy Chapter 17) and allowed the weeds to take over his own life.

From Proverbs Chapter 24 in the Bible (NIV)
30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,
    by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
    the ground was covered with nettles,
    and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and considered it;
    I looked and received instruction.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
    and want like an armed man.

And of course, after that we returned to the same home for our second cooked meal - chicken, rice, cold meats, cheese, salads, cake & fruit.  And then we drove on to Zalau, our home for the the two weeks, and the welcoming apartment of Mircea and Maria.

A Weight Gain Programme?

I've already got the impression that weight loss will not be an issue during this trip.  Half way to Zalau from Cluj-Napoca Airport yesterday we stopped at a restaurant for lunch at what turns out to be 3 cooked meals  day (plus snacks).  I had chicken Schnitzel and rice with mushrooms.  (Amazing how much hungrier sleep deprivation seems to make me.)

So, why Romania?

Yesterday I left home at 04:00 for the drive to Luton Airport and to meet up with a team of 5 others for a flight to Cluj Napoca in north west Romania, better know as Transilvania (that's the the local spelling).  We're working with the local Maranatha Mission, an informal network of pastors who have established church communities in the rural villages around Zalau.

So, why Romania?

16 months ago I was made redundant.  Apart from the initial shock and the nervousness associated with 'what's next', my wife and regarded this the first step in an answer to prayers we had been praying for the past couple of years.  Apart from the change in responsibilities that happened after the boys left home, there was a real desire to have more opportunity to use my training and experience and God-given gifts in teaching the Bible - a life transforming book.

So rather than looking for employment, I set up my own business and looked for clients.  Designed for greater flexibility, the first half of 2013 was a shaky start, but since the end of the summer work has been about as much as I can handle.

So, why Romania?
I recognise that I haven't answered the question yet.  In three further steps I felt a clear leading here in ways I didn't engineer.

1. On April 2nd I had a phone call from a colleague asking if I cold fly to Bucharest 5 days later to train some church leaders to deliver the Walk Through the Bible's New Testament seminar. I went, had a great time, and have been invited back.
2. A few weeks later in an after church conversation, I met Mike who had been part of this the team I'm now travelling with. He mentioned introducing me to some Romanian pastors who were visiting soon.  I expressed some interest, but didn't think much more of it at the time.
3. In June I had an email from Mike inviting me to that meeting later that week.  There I met Mircea and Dan, who quizzed me on what I did and had done - and told me more about Maranatha Mission.  Much to my surprise, they invited me to visit them as a key need they have is helping to provide Bible training for the (mainly) lay pastors.

So, eight months later, here I am in Zalau. Romania.

Afloat Again

Posted on the Devon Yawl Association Forum.
Why buy a Devon Dayboat?

My type of sailing

Since I sold my Solo in 1999 (my two sons were getting too large to sit in the bow) I've relied on friends and family for my sailing. Sailing on Thalassa has been a real treat, but she's was sold at the end of last season so that door has probably closed. I've enjoyed sailing on a couple of smaller family Westerlys and have crossed the channel and Lyme Bay with friends. But there is no doubt that I prefer the seamanship of handling boats in harbours to handling boats on long legs with the shore a distant haze on the horizon.

But what?

And I've hankered after something of my own - the simple pleasures of modifications to suit my own taste is something I miss from my previous period of ownership. (And it's so easy to forget the costs... Already the local chandlery is quids in.) But choosing a boat is a bit like choosing a car - always a compromise between performance and practicality, tempered by budget. A Wayfarer? An outstanding design, but too heavy to manhandle ashore short-handed (gone are the days when I could lift one on to a trolley by myself. A Wanderer- a bit small if taking friends. A bilge keel cruiser? Shortens the available time from a drying mooring. A Drascombe? I like the style, but when you've raced Enterprises & Solos, the lack of windward performance irks. And I live at the north-east end of Chichester Harbour, where the prevailing wind is South Westerly, so I'll let you guess which point of sail I need most.

So it was in the planning for a summer holiday near Falmouth that I spotted Mylor Boat Hire (see the Yawl Shop tab) and noticed the Devon Yawl on offer. Could I persuade my 21 year old son to join me for an afternoon in something so sedate? Well, I was paying, so he cheerfully accepted. After a friendly welcome and briefing from the staff, we took the boat for a half day, wind F 2-3.

After crossing the harbour, we headed upstream toward Truro. Impressed with the general responsiveness, one big plus was that even in the fickle and variable wind on the way up to King Harry Ferry she maintained some way against the ebb tide. Tim, who would rather be sailing a Buzz or a Dart, was impressed with the performance. I quite enjoyed the comfort - boom higher than I remember on my Solo, and the stability and stiffness is impressive. The furling genoa gives the luxury of a small cruiser, the mizzen the opportunity to play with rig balance (and in a tidal harbour is a great tool for rigging head to wind.)

So first day back home I had some time free and found myself browsing. But it was my brother (the Westerly owner) who pointed out a Devon Dayboat available for £2250. I had to admit, I wasn't drawn to her by the appearance of the Cuddy. (There again, I drive a Citroen Picasso for practical reasons, not for appearance.) But it was that cuddy that gave it added appeal. It provides a bit of shelter on a long day out. It adds to the space, because what is under the foredeck of the yawl is much more accessible in the Dayboat. And I can envisage grandchildren (none yet, but maybe a few years hence) enjoying the protection that it affords.

So I paid a visit to Newton Ferrers. Cwch has been well cared for, stored under cover each winter. I've seen plenty of old dinghies with spider webbed gel coat all over the place. Not so this boat, despite her 35+ years. Built with real strength. Encouraged by my non-sailing but supportive wife, two weeks later Cwch (pronounced 'cook', I've been informed by a Welsh friend) DD16 - and a small tender - was mine and on a borrowed trailer leaving the Yealm, her home for the last 25 years, and heading for Sussex.

So, a few weeks on...

Delighted with the purchase. Sailing singlehanded or with friends, with some very old sails, she handles well in winds F1-5, although I imagine that a replacing the original Hurley spars and forking out for new suit of sails (not this year) will make her seem like a new boat. I've added a topping lift for ease of shorthanded rigging, found the slab reefing easy to use singlehanded, can use Mizzen and Genoa on the short trips from mooring to hard, and have been strengthening my lower back hauling up the centreplate. Definitely needs a new rudder - as other articles on this web site point out, the old metal rudder blade stalls fairly early. A winter project. The friends I've taken out with me range from novice to old salt (sorry, Tom) and we've all enjoyed ourselves. And I haven't used the outboard yet - but that's another story.

Across to Dell Quay to pick up the crew.

What have I got?

So for just over 10% of the cost of a second hand Hawk, for my money I've got:

• One of the first boats to float on the rising tide from the inexpensive mooring at my end of the harbour
• A dayboat with a sturdy dinghy feel
• Something to sail away
• Room for friends
• Projects for several winters to come
• A boat for the next twenty years?
• Membership of an active Class Association (tradition is that selling owners pay the first year's membership. Thanks, Tim & Rosie!)
• Something to race in the occasional regatta

Have boat, will travel

And when I've bought a trailer, a resource to spend more time exploring some other harbours of the UK.

Same Again?

Equipped with this experience, if faced with the same choice again, that's why I'd buy a Devon Dayboat.

Hung Parliament?

A queue at the polling station. In one of the safest Tory seats in the country, I don't expect my vote to swing the election.  But too many people around the world don't get the chance to vote, so I think it both a privilege and a responsibility to participate.

Don't think I've ever had such a long wait to vote. Is that a sign of high turnout? Bumped into our former/future(?) MP while there. He was wearing a moderate sized blue rosette: see the rules.

Interesting how the parties use words. Notice how the Lib-Dems refer to a House of Commons with no overall majority as a 'Balanced' Parliament, while Labour and Conservative parties refer to a 'Hung' Parliament. Of course, after the revelations of the past couple of years, 'hung' also refers to what many voters would rather see happen to the politicians, not the parliament!

The Making of a Leader

For couple of years a borrowed biography has sat on my bedside bookshelf.  I was lent it soon after my (much) better half started working for a new organisation, as the history of it was tied up in the founder.  But having briefly opened it, I decided to search out and read volume one prior to attacking the enticing second volume.  I'll confess that the searching was a bit passive, but when I saw it on sale at the bookshop in our January sale I purchased the copy and started reading.

So last week I finished reading the first volume of Timothy Dudley-Smith's biography of John Stott CBE.  Entitled John Stott - The Making of a Leader it tracks the childhood, studies and first 25 years of his London based leadership, with a taster of the global influence that was to come over the next 3 decades.

I find many biographies fascinating for their historical element as much as the lives that are portrayed.  This one no less so.  It covered elements of 20th century history with which I was less familiar.  It introduced me to the background of someone I first heard speak in the 1970s, but with whose speaking and books I have become more familiar in the past 20 years.  I have a recording of his last public speaking engagement (July 2007) and have read extracts from his last and recently published book, The Radical Disciple (also available from our Bookshop (see above).

But surely from biographies of great people there must also be lessons to learn.  My current reflections are:

• the the strategic investment that 'Bash' chose to make in the lives of young leaders reaped rewards beyond measure
• John Stott has great natural gifts but excercised great disipline to make the most of them
• the decisions he made in young adulthood involved great personal cost
• As the 'job' grew, regular reviews and a supportive team enabled him to focus on the strategic

I think that there's a great deal more than that.  But these lessons have tended to stick as they are currently 'scratch' in areas I'm thinking about.

Waders for the men

During January 1994 heavy and prolonged rain on the south downs caused the River Lavant, which for much of the year trickles through Chichester, to become a torrent that could no longer pass in the culvert under the city centre.  Diversion of the river led to the the main coast road, the A27 being flooded.  The army was called in and in short order constructed a Bailey bridge over a flooded roundabout and restored east-west traffic.  The Army Benevolent Fund was the beneficiary as grateful motorists passing slowly over the temporary structure willingly filled collection buckets held by the bridge builders.

An article appeared in the Independent

John Adair in one of his books mentions one young officer at Sandhurst on whose annual report was written “Smith is not a born leader yet.”  What are the qualities the army was looking to inculcate within their officer ranks?  Seven years later I was delivering some training at an engineering company in the Midlands.  One of the delegates was a Project Manager who I discovered had been the Major in charge of the company of Royal Engineers building the A27 bridge.  As we reminisced I discovered that a number - but insufficent number - of pairs of waders had been obtained for the troops who were standing in thigh deep running water as they worked on the bridge.  "So the officers got the waders" I quipped.  Only to be corrected in a way that left me in no doubt that the officers put their men first.  Good leadership?

I was reading a blog which raised the variance between leader and manager.  It provoked me to thought as to how I balance the mix of roles that I have.  My job title includes the word 'manager' and certainly that's part of what I do.  But if it's all I do, then opportunities might be missed, strategic vision parked in a safe place, and business growth will only happen if its thrown in our direction.  On the other hand, I'm not a Richard Branson...

As a trainer by instinct and profession I love imparting information. Sometimes the skill or knowledge transfer requires me to behave as I'm not. I might make a consious decision to be more dramatic than I naturally am. On occasion I convince myself we're going to have a succesful outcome to a course when my instinct tells me otherwise. (Believe me, it can make a real difference to the outcome for the students.)


A few years ago in a discussion over Belbin's Team Roles Theory an experienced management consultant suggested to me that it was possible to train yourself to overcome one's natural roles to fill almost every role within a team, slotting in whereever there were vacancies.  He had reached a point of filling all but one team role as required.  So on the 'not a born leader yet' principle, is it possible that not only we can be become better leaders, but we can discipline ourselves to behave as a leader, projecting ourself into a necessary role and (perhaps by using other characteristics as well) provide the vision that others catch and and join in realising.

So what changes do I need to make to produce that result...?